SICK BUILDING SYNDROME

Plants Clean Pollutants from the Air

  In the early 1970's NASA identified 107 volatile and potentially dangerous gases in the Sky Lab III space flights.  Since that time, NASA's 20 years of research has shown that "plant leaves, roots and soil bacteria can dramatically reduce levels of toxic vapors.  In a similar way to the space shuttle, tightly sealed buildings retain toxic gases.  The result is polluted indoor air, a condition called "sick building syndrome".  Nearly two decades of NASA tests reveal that living green and flowering plants clean pollutants from the air and can make sick buildings healthy.  The NASA tests prove that many frequently used indoor plants reduce certain toxic chemicals in the air dramatically - even up to 80% or 90%.  The same tests have also proven that indoor plants are effective as air cleaners.

  The problem we have is that most people operating in the developed countries of the world, unknowingly work in, shop and relax in these "sick buildings" which are a potential health hazard.  Member organizations of the National Interior Plantscape Association (NIPA) can assist companies in developing their own internal plantscape design with specifications for the correct plant species.